Churchill II

The Churchill Mk II was the most numerous of the 2-pounder versions of the Churchill infantry tank. The Churchill Mk I was armed with a 2-pounder gun and coaxial Besa machine gun in a small cast turret and a 3" howitzer in the hull front. Late in 1940 it was discovered that the supply of howitzers was running short, and so most early Churchills were completed as the Mk II, which carried a second Besa machine gun in the hull front instead. It retained the small cast turret with 2-pounder gun and coaxial machine gun.

The Churchill I was originally built with exposed tracks and air intake lourves on the hull sides. During the long re-working programme most were later given track covers and had the air intakes moved from the side to the top to prevent them getting clogged. The new type could also take a trunk to allow the tank to wade through deeper water.

A total of 1,127 Mk IIs were built, alongside 303 Mk Is, for a total of 1,430 2-pounder Churchills. Production of the Mk II ended in mid-1942.

The Churchill Mk II took part in the disastrous attack on Dieppe of August 1942. They were used by the Canadian Calgary Regiment, 14th Canadian tank battalion. Twenty nine tanks began the attack, about half got across the sea wall, and all of them had to be left behind at the end of the attack.

The Mk I, Mk II and Mk III made up the equipment of the 21st Army Tank Brigade and 25th Army Tank Brigade during the fighting in Tunisia early in 1943.